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Thursday, July 8, 2010

Courgette and Noodle Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...Extremely hot or cold weather is very unusual in the area where Bob and I live. Folks to the north and south of us seem to bear the brunt of seasonally bad weather, but every so often, usually after we've been smug about how pleasant it is here, Mother Nature and the prevailing winds choose to assert their authority and we either freeze or sizzle. We are sizzling now, and, if the long term forecast is to be believed, we'll be well-done or over-cooked before the weather breaks and we're comfortable again. I made a quick run to the market before dinner to pick up some rotisserie chickens, only to find there were none left. The gal at the counter apologetically chalked it up to the heat. Laziness, rather than the heat had led me to the deli counter, so I had to smile. I don't mind cooking in this weather, but I have found the heat affects my appetite. I need less and lighter food when the temperature climbs. I had fashioned a new, light salad that turned out well, so I was looking for a protein extender to keep my favorite carnivore happy and at the table. Fortunately, there were shrimp aplenty at the fish market and the dinner menu was set. I'm really excited about the salad. I hope you will try it and enjoy it as much as we did. I'd really like some feed back should you decide to make it. Be sure to follow the instructions that come with your rice or bean thread noodles. They can turn to mush if you let them soak to long. The rest of the recipe is a cakewalk, especially if you have a julienne peeler like the one that can be seen here. The salad is very easy to do, though I would suggest you make it several hours before you plan to serve it. My inspiration was the summer squash that is beginning to appear in markets throughout our area. This really warm weather assures that there will be plenty of it for the remainder of the summer. This recipe guarantees we'll eat our share of it and the squash won't go to waste. If you, too, share your table with a confirmed carnivore, shrimp or chicken would be a wonderful extender or accompaniment. Here's the recipe.

Directions:1) Place squash and noodles in a large bowl. Toss well to combine. Set aside.2) Combine sugar, salt, lime juice, mustard, onion and juice, oil and 2 teaspoons poppy seeds in a small bowl. Whisk to dissolve sugar and combine all ingredients.3) Pour half of poppy seed dressing into another large bowl. Add squash mixture and toss to coat with dressing. Add remainder of dressing as required to coat, but not drown, mixture. Add salt and pepper to taste. Chill for at least 3 hours, tossing occasionally. To serve, drain and transfer to a serving bowl. Sprinkle with reserved teaspoon of poppy seeds. Yield: 6 - 8 servings.

I do hope you find a way to stay cool. The heat has come to us too now - very quickly - and it's a bit hard to adjust. Luckily I'm going camping for a few days and will stay cool in the shade with my icy drinks!

Down south heat = lazy. Why do you think we are all fat down here? Think you'd want to exercise in 100 degree temperatures with 100% humidity 90% of the year?! ;) It's been rain, rain, rain down here lately but that finally moved out and at least temporarily took the sweltering heat away for a bit.

Gorgeous salad! I love cellophane noodles and they are great hot or cold. Ya done good Mary!

What a beautiful salad. Chris dislikes squash, but I could just double the zucchini instead. I know about heat..it's supposed to be 110 here today! OUCH! Guess that's why man invented air conditioning! Hope you stay cool!!

What a lovely salad, Mary. Glass noodles are such fun to use and teamed with courgette, really unusual and pretty.I love salads like this in our warm Florida weather. We are used to it down here; hang in there, Mary...it won't last too much longer where you are.(We have it until October!)

Bean thread noodles or as I call them...Mung bean noodles have become a great discovery from the Asian grocery store. I make a bit more and use it here and there...especially in salads.Great refreshing and tasty recipe.

We're going through quite the heat wave also...nice light food and less calories;0)

Your salad is gorgeous. So fresh! I use saifun in stir fry but have never thought to pair it with veggies for a summer salad like this. I love it! Thanks for posting. We are having a heat wave too (east coast). So it would be a perfect meal for us.

Lovely! I've been making a courgette carpaccio/salad for a few years and love it but I'm so loving the look and the flavors of your salad. I like the added texture of the rice noodles. And the dressing is scrumptious!

I love all the ingredients that you threw in on the salad. Great combination and texture: the crunchy goodness of the specs of poppy seeds, the soft tenderness of the noodles and the squash and zuchini... definitely refreshing during a hot summer day!

Drink lots of water during these times of the summer, it will definitely cool you down.

What a delicious looking salad! I am definitely going that a try. I will be back to your blog quite often. Your food looks amazing and what an awesome blog you have. Thank you very much for sharing your wonderful recipes:)

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